http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...-brandon-doughty-shows-signs-of-pro-potential
WKU QB Brandon Doughty shows signs of pro potential
By Bucky Brooks
NFL Media analyst
Published: Dec. 21, 2015 at 10:07 p.m
MIAMI -- The lack of quality quarterbacks in the NFL forces scouts to take a long, hard look at any prospect that displays a hint of potential at the position. After watching Western Kentucky's Brandon Doughty post gaudy numbers as the director of one of college football's most prolific offenses, I thought I would take a trip to the Miami Beach Bowl to see if the Hilltoppers' standout has the goods to develop into a franchise quarterback at the next level.
Doughty is a mobile quarterback with slightly above average athleticism. Although he is not a true dual-threat at the position, he flashes enough agility and movement skills to work the edges on sprint outs and bootlegs from the shotgun.
Doughty has enough arm strength to attack every area of the field. Although I would rate his arm as a solid "B" on the scale, he pushes the ball down the field on vertical throws and fires intermediate routes (curls, digs and comebacks) with adequate velocity. Doughty capably fits the ball into tight windows on throws inside the numbers.
From an accuracy standpoint, Doughty was on-point delivering the ball between the strike zone on short routes, particularly on "now" and tunnel screens at the line of scrimmage. Additionally, he showed adequate ball placement on intermediate throws (curls and comebacks) from the numbers to the boundary. This is an important aspect in the evaluation for teams employing a version of the West Coast offense with quick-rhythm ball-control routes. Doughty delivered a dart to Nicholas Norris on a dig route that resulted in a 69-yard touchdown. The pinpoint throw not only showcased Doughty's anticipation and timing as a quick-rhythm thrower, but he showed scouts he could fit the ball into a tight window between the hashes.
Football intelligence
Doughty shows good football intelligence and situational awareness. He has a keen understanding of his scheme, as evidenced by his ability to get to his second and third read in the progression. Doughty will quickly dump the ball off to his backs on swing passes when the coverage blankets his primary receiver. This is critical to sustaining drives at the next level, which is why coaches will give Doughty positive marks for his overall intelligence.
In regard to Doughty's situational awareness, I was impressed with his ability to execute a two-minute drill at the end of the first half. He quickly moved his offense down the field, but wasn't overwhelmed by the moment. He wisely used a "spike" to stop the clock in the closing seconds to ensure his team walked away with a field goal at the end of the half.
With most NFL games decided by seven points or fewer, Doughty's execution in critical situations will make him an attractive prospect in some circles.
In the second half, I was impressed with how quickly Doughty made adjustments and attacked the Bulls' secondary. He wasted little time exploiting the vulnerable areas of the Bulls' coverage, leading to a 28-point third quarter on the strength of his impressive play from the pocket. Although he wasn't completely flawless in the second half, I walked away convinced that Doughty's guts, moxie and resiliency would give him a chance to succeed as a pro.
Conclusion
It is hard to find quarterbacks with the arm talent, football intelligence and confidence to develop into quality starters in the NFL. Thus, quarterbacks with any hint of potential deserve strong consideration in the draft. After taking a long, hard look at Doughty on tape and in person, I believe he is an intriguing developmental prospect with the potential to develop into a quality starter down the road. I believe he is best suited to play in a quick-rhythm offense that features a number of short and intermediate throws on the menu designed to take advantage of his quick release and superb decision-making skills. If I had to compare him to a current player, I would cite Ryan Fitzpatrick based on their similar skills as systematic playmakers. It might take a couple of years for him to develop into a capable starter, but he certainly possesses enough tools to warrant consideration as a borderline Day 2 (Rounds 2-3) prospect in the 2016 class.
